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If you ask a concealed handgun permit holder why they choose to carry a concealed weapon all of the time, they’ll sometimes dryly reply that it’s because criminals are rarely considerate enough to put their deadly crimes on the intended victim’s calendar.

Such was the case in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania yesterday, when a man with a concealed carry permit heard gun shots as he passed by a barbershop, ran in, and stopped a massacre in the making by shooting a man who had opened fire on employees and customers:

Police say a man likely saved the lives of several people when he shot and killed a gunman inside a West Philadelphia barbershop.

A 40-year-old man was inside Falah Barber Shop Inc. on the 600 block of Preston Street shortly before 3 p.m. Sunday when police say he began fighting with another person inside.

“They were arguing,” said 16-year-old Yusaf Mack who was a customer inside the shop at the time. “They were taking it too far and one of the barbers said, ‘chill out.’”

The fight quickly escalated and the 40-year-old man took out his gun and opened fire on customers and barbers, police said.

“I heard gunshots so I ducked and I ran,” said Mack.

As he was shooting, another man outside heard the gunfire, ran into the shop and took out his own gun, according to investigators. He then opened fire, striking the 40-year-old man once in the chest.

The man who had started shooting at customers and staff in the barbershop was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where he died of his injuries.

The concealed carry permit holder turned himself in at a local police precinct after the shooting, and Philadelphia police are conducting a formal investigation. Early indications are that the permit holder likely saved “a lot of people.”

As a general rule, citizens have the right to defend their lives and the lives of others against immediate and proximate deadly force attacks.

No charges are expected to be filed against the concealed carry permit holder.